Strikingly beautiful floristry can elevate a wedding more than anything else. Sweeping, statement floral displays will wow your guests and look sensational in your wedding album. For a stately home wedding, it’s essential to choose flowers and arrangements to do more than just complement the space: they should take inspiration from your venue’s aesthetic and bring your wedding vision to life in the most beautiful way. To create unforgettable installations, work with an experienced designer who specialises in flowers for stately home weddings. I had the loveliest chat with luxury wedding florist Jemma Khan, whose advice for couples is golden.
This blog was inspired by two pieces written by Jemma on her beautiful website: A Guide to Wedding Flower Installations and Your Stately Home Wedding: A Guide to Florals and Styling
What is a wedding floral installation?
Floral installations bring a sense of artistry and atmosphere that goes far beyond traditional arrangements. They’re large-scale, sculptural designs created specifically for a location. These statement pieces are typically fixed in place and crafted to suit the unique shape, features, and mood of your venue. Well-chosen wedding flower installations can highlight a stately home’s architectural features, create beautiful photo moments, and tie the whole floral scheme together.
Think of installations as floral art: a grand arch to frame your vows, cascading flowers down a staircase, or greenery suspended from a ceiling. They are often more complex to design and install, but the impact is unforgettable.
How flower installations elevate stately home weddings
The grandeur of stately home weddings means high ceilings, vast rooms, and dramatic staircases. Make the most of every inch of your venue by using the venue’s existing architecture, grand fireplaces, sweeping staircases, and decorative ceilings—as a focal point for floral installations. Tall statement pieces can draw the eye upwards, complementing tablescapes and smaller arrangements used elsewhere.
Appreciate, respect and take inspiration from your wedding venue’s architecture and decor
This is where hiring a florist experienced in stately homes becomes so important. Jemma Khan understands the challenges and opportunities a stately home wedding location brings: from incorporating your venue’s gardens’ own seasonal blooms into your indoor arrangements, to working under strict conditions to preserve the venue itself. The owners of stately homes care deeply about preserving their venues’ features, from centuries-old flooring to humidity levels and more!
Bridgette Ibbotson Photography at Holesfoot Cumbria
Yes, you can have sustainable wedding flowers in a stately home
When I spoke to Jemma Khan I learned so much about wedding floristry, not least the steps taken to provide sustainable flower installations and arrangements with as little waste as possible. Seasonal, eco-conscious designs not only enhance the romance of your chosen estate but also reflect thoughtful values, ensuring your day feels both indulgent and responsible. Jemma works without floral foam, sourcing seasonal flowers designed to last: even for three-day wedding weekends where flowers can be repurposed. She even offers a bunching-up service after your wedding, gathering used flowers into beautiful bouquets to be taken home.
Where do wedding flower installations work best?
Every stately home wedding venue is different. A visit will show you the heart and soul of the space you’ve chosen: perhaps a grand entrance hall, breathtaking ballroom or exquisite courtyards are a highlight. Many have sweeping staircases which suit floral installations perfectly. Your stately home wedding florist will advise you where to place flowers to the greatest effect for your specific venue.
Types of wedding flower installations for luxury country houses and stately homes
Flower arches: can be can be full and abundant or wild and asymmetrical, depending on your style.
Use flower arch installations to complement entranceways, grand gates and church steps, or as a backdrop to your ceremony.
A “broken” arch means two asymmetrical pieces, for a more natural, romantic look
Cascading flowers: down a grand hallway staircase or at the entrance to your venue, these are luxurious and dramatic, perfect for heritage homes and elegant manor houses.
Analogue and Light at Capesthorne Hall
Desiree A North at Tortworth Court
As an experienced stately home florist, Jemma Khan has designed wedding flowers at some of the UK’s most breathtaking estates, including Chatsworth House, Dorfold Hall, Birdsall House, and Boughton House.
Further reading:
- A guide to wedding flower installations
- Sustainable flowers for stately home weddings
- Your stately home wedding: a guide to florals and styling
Today’s blog is inspired by luxury wedding planner Elegante by Michelle J. Having worked with some of the UK and Europe’s best wedding florists to style stunning weddings, Michelle shared her expert and insider tips on choosing a wedding florist on her blog. I loved the advice she gave, and wanted to share it with you!
Deciding on your wedding look and style
Before you approach a florist or start looking for inspiration for your wedding flowers online, decide and agree on the style of your wedding. Do you both love elegance and minimal styling (for example, in your home)? Perhaps you love statement design, big and bold or colourful displays (what’s the artwork on your walls like?) Think about flowers you’ve bought each other in the past: have they been wild and wonderful, muted and natural in tone? Extravagant or simple and romantic?
Look together at real weddings online. Get an idea for your colour palette and overall look and feel of your wedding. It could be country charm, inspired by the destination where you’ll be wed, modern and chic or artsy and eclectic.
Then you can start to look at the options for your wedding flowers.
Choosing a florist you trust is key
Different florists have very different styles and approaches. Some are really modern in both the look of the flower arrangements they create and the way they run their business. Others are more traditional – and it’s your choice which you prefer.
The look of your wedding flowers
Modern bouquets and arrangements can be structured and compact, or wild and organic. Consider a rose bouquet: it could be a tight bunch of beautiful blooms with few leaves and no other flowers, in a clear palette of two or three colours. Or it could be a mixture of roses and leaves dotted with stems and seedheads and smaller flowers for texture, in a variety of summer colours. Both are effective, but it’s likely one will appeal to you more. Florists also have their preferences, and a floral designer who works with wild and spectacular arrangements would be the wrong choice if your tastes are more refined and traditional.
Think of colours to match your wedding palette. If you’re leaning towards vibrant and bold colours, look for a florist whose creations jump out at you for their hues. If the colours you’re thinking of for your wedding are more muted, natural and romantic, look for floral designers whose socials and online portfolios tend towards those tones.
And all the time you’re looking online at photographs of wedding flowers, note the designer: where are they based, could they be an option for styling your own wedding?
Photographer: James Mason // Flowers: Il Giardino delle Fate Floral Design // Planner: Elegante by Michelle J.
A note on wedding flower inspiration online
Pinterest is a fabulous place for wedding inspiration, as is instagram. These platforms have incredible images and can be a wonderful resource – but be aware of AI generated content. The floral images that can blow your mind might just be fake, or unachievable at your venue or within your budget. How to tell if a wedding flower image is AI? Look who’s posted the image and who it’s attributed to. A few of the top wedding creators on insta are AI-driven. If a photo on Pinterest or instagram is linked to a specific florist, then you can trust the source (and that the creation isn’t an impossibility!)
Dealing with your wedding florist
A really good wedding florist will excel at floral design, have amazing knowledge of flowers and seasons, and run a business that gives clients a fabulous, stress-free experience. Communication is key. When you’re looking for a wedding florist, and especially if you’ll be dealing with them personally rather than through a wedding planner, be sure you’ll have an open channel of communication that works for you.
Choose a wedding florist who is honest and open, and who gives you the amount of information that you need about your florals. If you have your heart set on your gran’s favourite flower, or one you remember from your dad’s allotment – those specific details will be so important. Alternatively, if you’re happy for your florist to construct something wild and wonderful to surprise you on the day, communications won’t need to go into great detail on design, but will cover the logistics and costs of your wedding flowers.
Photographer: David Bastianoni // Florist: Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design // Planner: Elegante by Michelle J.
How to get the most from your wedding flowers
Trust is everything. Once you’ve found a florist whose style you both adore, and whose approach you enjoy and are comfortable with, you’ll know your wedding flowers will be beautiful. Ask what you need to about your flowers, and trust the advice from your experts. If you choose a wedding florist who’s never worked at your venue before, they’ll have recommendations for structures and arrangements to suit the interiors (meadow style arrangements around a staircase, for example). Your wedding planner will also be able to advise on what works beautifully in your space, so do ask for recommendations and suggestions from both!
You can also ask your wedding planner to recommend floral designers. Planners have a wealth of knowledge and will consider things you might not have thought of – from a Plan B for wet weather (which might involve hastily creating an adapted floral arrangement indoors) to the logistics of getting florist’s vehicles to a remote island wedding venue!
“At Elegante by Michelle J weddings the flowers tend to be a real focal point, and we put a lot of time and consideration into ensuring our couples work with the right florists to achieve the cohesive, flowing aesthetic they desire. When it comes to the question of how to choose your wedding flowers, our years of experience and deep-rooted connections with fabulous industry florists help our couples bloom – and we want to help you, too.” ~ Michelle Jacobs, Elegante by Michelle J.
Photographer: David Bastianoni // Florist: Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design // Planner: Elegante by Michelle J.
Choosing a florist for your destination wedding
I would very strongly recommend hiring an experienced wedding planner if you’re marrying overseas and looking for amazing wedding flowers. The logistics and negotiations between venues and florists can be complex and time consuming if you try to manage this by yourselves!
Michelle mentions that options for wedding flowers in venues in Europe can be more limited. Venues are more likely to have lists of approved suppliers you’re expected to choose from – but if they don’t suit your style it might not be an ideal situation to deal with alone. There’s also a likelihood that your venue’s chosen florists will be stylists too, bringing in their own decor from glassware to table linens. This can be helpful, but in some cases restrictive too.
There is the option of flying in a florist you love, especially if you’re having a luxury wedding and your budget allows. Always work with a florist who’s comfortable working overseas, and has experience in doing so! It will be crucial to work with your wedding planner who will coordinate with your venue and florist to ensure this can happen.
Photographer: David Bastianoni // Florist: Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design // Planner: Elegante by Michelle J.
“If you are working with a wedding planner they will help you understand the kinds of florals that will work with your overall wedding vision and plan. Developing your desired aesthetic and atmosphere for your wedding day properly means that, when it comes to choosing your wedding florist and flowers, each element makes sense alongside the rest.” ~ Michelle J.
Are there alternatives for couples who don’t like flowers?
There are other options for styling your venue without flowers, although they rarely have the effect that real florals will. You could consider dried flowers or paper art installations, but they don’t have the softness and texture of floral design, which can really soften the aesthetic and add wow factor to your venue.
Fabrics can bring softness and colour to your wedding venue, with thoughtful styling and approach to design. Draped fabrics and silk ribbons for table styling could work as a beautiful alternative to florals, and it’s a look we’d love to see here at English Wedding! Having said that, it would look even more wonderful with greenery so it’s definitely worth discussing alternatives to wedding flowers with your wedding planner!
Do check out all of Michelle’s insider tips for choosing incredible wedding flowers at https://elegantebymichellej.com
Written by Sarah McCaig, founder of wedding florist, Olive Owl
Planning a wedding be overwhelming and often we feel like we must stick to ‘traditions’ purely because that’s the way things have always been done. This can be the case with wedding flowers, but for us, wedding florals are more than decorations – they’re a reflection of a couple’s personality and to bring that to life, colour is vital.
I’m pleased to report that we have seen couples begin to realise they don’t have to rely on the traditional ‘white’ or very plain themes that for so long weddings have been associated with. It’s possible to still have stylish, romantic designs, but still work in some colour that represents who you are as a couple to give it a powerful meaning.
Here’s four colourways and styling trends for the 2024/2025 wedding season that hopefully inspire you to incorporate colour to your special day:
SUMMER SUNSET
An eclectic mix of rich colour that gives you a warm, satisfied feeling.
We’re seeing more couples get bold and experimental with colour. Infusing bright, bold hues like oranges and hot reds to give a warm and full feel, echoing the way some might feel about their relationship.”
“This kind of style is a perfect example of how to do block colour, but without compromising on delicacy or romance. Perfect for couples that are truly looking for something different.
SEPTEMBER DUSK
Soft muted tones complimented by a delicate dose of colour, reminiscent of a romantic September sky at dusk.
Some couples still want that whimsical romantic look and feel from their florals. However, they want a fresh, modern take on it. The recent beige boom in fashion and interior has made its way over to the floral world too and we’re starting to see hints of white, buried in beige and muted tones to give it that soft blend that is then perfectly romanticised by pinks and peaches.
Incorporating soft colour like peach or pink is a great way to elevate wedding florals, ideal for couples that want to retain some tradition, but with a fresh modern take on it.
CALIFORNIAN SUMMER
A colour clash that shouldn’t work but does. Unapologetic, bold and suggestive of a hot, dry Californian summer.
We’re starting to see people experiment with colour and create these beautiful bold clashes that delivers something truly spectacular on a special day.
Perfect for summer outdoor ceremonies, these hot pinks and vivid blues never fail to wow guests and stand out brilliantly on pictures. The Californian Summer colour palette is the perfect example of using bold colours, but in a way that brings the right balance of character and a unique elegance to your wedding day.
PASTEL ELEGANCE
Innocent and pure using gentle pastel tones to bring an exquisite touch of elegance to your wedding style.
Many couples often say they want classic florals, but with a twist. We use gentle pastel combinations like peaches, creams, lilac and blue stems to keep it bridal, but complimented by elegant colours that give it that unique edge.
This colour palette often uses a mixture of flower types to give it a wild meadow feel, but has also been tamed and expertly arranged for an intricate, elegant display. It’s a pure and innocent arrangement that is infused with a drop of pastel personality.
Don’t be afraid of colour, embrace it and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
About Olive Owl
Olive Owl Flowers is a wedding florist based in the north west. Founded by Sarah McCaig in 2016, the floral entrepreneur has successfully supported hundreds of newlyweds with unique floral designs for their wedding day. No ordinary wedding florist, Olive Owl specialise in colour combinations to ensure weddings don’t comprise on character or elegance, blending both beauty and colour for unforgettable florals on your special day.
Sarah is also encouraging newlyweds to give their wedding flowers a second lease of life through her mental health movement #PetalsofPositivity. The campaign sees leftover wedding flowers placed for strangers to find as a random act of kindness after Sarah did something similar earlier this year and later found that she’d saved a life. Read more on the campaign here. People can pledge their support here or send a direct message on the Petals of Positivity Instagram Page.
We’re breaking down the pros and cons of artificial wedding flowers vs home grown florals on English Wedding today! Lots of you are looking for the most sustainable options for your wedding floral styling, and we’re here to help. I’ve included expert advice from Blooming Artificial, faux flower specialists, and Jess from Darcey Styling, a talented Lake District wedding florist and stylist with a passion for working with and sourcing blooms from Cumbria’s local flower growers.
The history of wedding flowers: why do we carry bouquets?
Jess explains, “The history of a bridal bouquet is believed to date back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans where they carried fresh herbs. Even ancient Egyptian brides are thought to have carried herbs and spices down the aisle. The tradition is now so prevalent that wedding bouquets have become a beautiful accompaniment and in some cases, a statement to couples and their whole wedding aesthetic.”
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling // Dress from Julia Tasker Bridal Couture
The look of real wedding flowers vs artificial bouquets
If you’re considering artificial flowers, Alick at Blooming Artificial advises you to “opt for high-quality flowers like silk wedding bouquets as these can look so lifelike, your guests might do a double take. “One of the telltale signs of artificial flowers is that they can sometimes look a bit too perfect. To combat this, mix it up by incorporating different textures into your bouquet. Choose blooms with varying petal shapes and sizes, and don’t forget about foliage – a little greenery can go a long way in adding authenticity.
Source: Blooming Artificial
“Fresh-cut flowers also often have subtle variations in hue that can be hard to replicate with artificial blooms. To make your bouquet look more lifelike, consider mixing shades of the same colour or adding in a few accent blooms with slightly different tones. This will create depth and dimension, just like a real bouquet.”
A florist working with real wedding flowers will of course arrange your bouquet for you, giving a wider choice of home grown flower varieties and expertly placing each stem to create a stunning design. Make no mistake: a good wedding florist is creating a piece of art with flowers!
You’ll have input into the colours and key blooms for your floral arrangements and bouquets, and an expert to perfect them for you! And it’s not just the look of your flowers which will wow your guests, but the scent as well.
If you’re looking for statement floral design on your wedding day (such as meadow-like flowers lining a staircase, or flowers on the walls or hanging from beams) then a florist can create all of those for you. Without a professional wedding florist, it’s impossible to create a show stopping arrangement like a floral arch, so you’d need to focus on simpler table flowers and bouquets.
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling
The cost of artificial and real wedding flowers
There’s a spectrum here! You can pay a fortune for either faux blooms or real flowers for your wedding. The best piece of advice I can give is choose quality over quantity, whichever type of flowers you choose! Never buy artificial wedding flowers from a cheap superstore, and never let price be the main reason you choose a florist. Artificial blooms can be delicately crafted or cheap and nasty. Florists range from artisans working sustainably through to old school flower shops or online retailers packing stems into floral foam (which is really bad for the environment).
If you’re working to a budget, go for smaller bouquets and arrangements, and place them carefully and sparingly around your venue. Be honest about your budget when talking to your wedding floral stylist.
A common misconception is that artificial flowers are cheaper than real ones. This isn’t true!
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling
Which is more sustainable: artificial or real wedding flowers?
Jess at Darcey Styling told me, “Here in the Lake District, I work with sustainable local flower farmers and grow some of my own blooms and foliage too. Sustainable meaning no pesticides or harmful chemicals, only natural methods and I only use sustainable methods of floral mechanics in my designs which means, no floral foam.
This makes the whole process of choosing your locally grown seasonal flowers really really special! Being guided through the wedding flower process by a professional florist or grower means everything is taken into consideration for you. For example, the season and climate, colour palette, textural elements, scents giving you a holistic experience and delving into the special meaning behind the flowers. This carries with it the such excitement and trust in your flower professional, and can elevate your whole wedding vision and experience.”
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling // Stationery By Moon & Tide
Asked if it’s OK to use fake flowers at your wedding, Alick from Blooming Artificial told me, “Absolutely! Artificial wedding bouquets are more popular than ever.” Most lovers and buyers of hand-picked flowers will not be aware that 90% of real flowers sold in the UK have travelled hundreds if not thousands of miles to get here. They are either cultivated in vast heated glasshouses in Holland, or flown from farms in Africa and South America after being treated with ethylene blocking chemicals to delay ripening. The environmental impact as a result of airfreight, artificial light and temperature control is surprising.
Compare this to the artificial equivalent. Although it travels a long way from a factory in China where it is made, indefinite shelf-life means it can be transported by sea which requires considerably less energy than airfreight.”
Read more: https://www.bloomingartificial.co.uk/blog/an-introspection
Keeping your wedding flowers after the big day
The best thing about choosing artificial floristry for your wedding is that it can continue to provide joy after the ceremony, acting as a special recognition of your wedding day when displayed in your home. Alick notes, “There are a variety of ways to display your bouquets – vases are the classic choice, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Go for something unique and eye-catching, like a vintage jar, an elegant crystal vase, or even a quirky teapot for a whimsical touch. You could also consider getting the stems from your wedding bouquet professionally framed or displayed in a shadow box.”
Source: Blooming Artificial
“You can keep your artificial bouquet looking fresh by regularly giving it a gentle dusting with a soft brush or some compressed air. Make sure to store your bouquet in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to keep its colours popping for years to come.”
Preservation is the secret to everlasting, real wedding flowers. Jess offers this advice: “As you and your now husband or wife bask in your wedding day memories and are sitting staring at your wedding flowers on your table top, you mutter, “I wish our flowers could last forever!” But they can last forever, really! Preserving your flowers is a real thing! A floral preservation professional can do this for you and you can even choose the frame, then pop your flowers on your wall or above the mantelpiece, pride of place!”
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling
Other considerations: faux or real wedding flowers?
Real wedding flowers, organically grown, provide an important resource for wildlife. Pollinators (e.g. bees, butterflies) need all the help they can get, as the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
Hayfever sufferers may prefer faux to real blooms to avoid sniffly, itchy symptoms! (Often though, hay fever is caused by grass pollen rather than flowers.)
Speaking of scent, there’s something magical about incorporating herbs and fragrant blooms into your day. Sprigs of lavender, rosemary or mint look beautiful and smell incredible!
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury
Remember, flowers are optional on your wedding day. You don’t need to carry a bouquet at all! (They’re quite heavy!) Wedding tables styled with terracotta potted plants (again, herbs look fabulous!) look gorgeous – and you can give the growing plants away as gifts too! Alternatively use candles instead of flowers for a stunning evening wedding (especially in winter).
With huge thanks to Jess at Darcey Styling, to Jo Bradbury Photography, and to Blooming Artificial for their contributions to this article.
Explore Blooming Artificial’s curated wedding collection, featuring timeless hand-tied bouquets, artificial wedding plants, and single stems perfect for designing your own unique bridal arrangement.
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury
Image credits: Venue: Hundhowe // Photos: Jo Bradbury // Dresses: Julia Tasker Bridal Couture // MUA: Make-up by Polly Winder // Hair: Hair by Emma Brennan // Cake: Wren Cake Design // Film: Jura Wedding Films // Florals: Darcey Styling // Styling & Concept: Darcey Styling // Accessories: Debbie Carlisle // Jewellery: JUNI // Stationery: By Moon and Tide // Models: Connor and Jessica // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Tuxedo: Slaters Menswear // Artisan Basket: Phil Bradley // Crockery: Options Greathire.
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury
Photographer credit: Jo Bradbury // Florals by Darcey Styling
Real brides’ bouquets from our archives to inspire your day! There’s loads more wedding flower ideas on our Pinterest…
The loveliest spring wedding flowers
Peonies flower from late April / early May into June in the UK. The fact that our peony season is so short makes these blooms all the more special!
Paul Santos Photography / Elegante by Michelle J / floral styling by Flowers by Miri / more from Bianca & Jordan’s Windsor wedding here
Buying wedding flowers in season is really important. Many flowers are imported (supermarkets are a major culprit here) and carry a huge carbon footprint. We love to hear about couples choosing flowers which are home grown, pesticide and peat-free and all the more beautiful for it!
Peonies are a big favourite, but if your wedding isn’t in May or June, ask your florist’s advice on other big statement blooms. You might fall in love with a café au last dahlia or a statement rose instead!
Foliage is absolutely key to bringing a natural look to your wedding bouquet. These eucalytus leaves set off the pale ivory and peach blooms beautifully for an early spring bouquet.
Ross Willsher Photography / flowers by Evelyn Rose Floristry
Late spring / early summer wedding flowers
Foxgloves and calla lilies flower in late spring and early summer time. In this gorgeous coral and peach bouquet they’re teamed with fragrant eucalyptus sprigs and roses.
Constance Doyle Photography flowers by Stems & Gems / styling by Jessica Ghansah Weddings
The best way to get amazing wedding flowers is to find a florist whose style and approach you love. Check them out on social media – read what they say, how approachable and experienced they sound, and browse their bouquets and arrangements by season.
Then ask all your questions! Book an appointment, chat through your ideas and listen, listen, listen to their advice.
Stunning blooms for summer wedding bouquets
Delphiniums are in flower in June and July. These pale blues and peach tones are glorious for a pastel toned summer wedding. Every English country garden wedding will have a delphinium or two!
Ampersand Memories Photography Bouquet by Fabulous Functions
Whatever your wedding colour palette, there’ll be flowers to match in every season. Rich reds and orange tones are often associated with autumn, but they can add a stunning colour pop in spring time (anemones). White and green bouquets can look wintry with a hint of gold, or fresh and summery with a dash of pastel pink or peach. This delicate bouquet in shades of purple has lovely early summer vibes, but with different blooms (hellebores, ranunculus and roses) could be just as effective for a winter wedding.
Neli Prahova Photography / Styling by The Country Blush / Flowers by Bailey and Blossom
In the height of summer, the world is your oyster for wedding blooms! This white wedding bouquet pairs astilbe with sweet pea, ranunculus, foxglove stems and lilac for a delicate and feminine look.
Jennifer Jane Photography flowers by Corky & Prince
Bold summer wedding bouquets
Lilies flower from mid summer depending on the variety. They can be intensely fragrant – a little goes a very long way! Having a spray of lilies as a statement flower looks stunning. Here the buds are used to keep the bouquet looking modern, alongside gypsophila (baby’s breath) and eucalyptus sprigs.
Jonathan Borba via Unsplash
Two of my favourite summer bouquet styles are country garden and wildflower meadow.
Country (or cottage) garden wedding flowers tend to include more formal blooms like roses, delphiniums, cosmos and hydrangeas.
Wildflower bouquets include more vibrant colours and tendrils of foliage, with flowers including poppies and cornflowers, daisies and foxgloves.
There’s something wonderful about trusting your florist to gather a colourful mix of summer blooms. Sunflowers and daisies, cornflowers and verbena all have a little role in this stunner of a late summer bouquet.
Cosmos and cow parsley featured in so many stunning wedding bouquets last summer. We adore the combination of country garden and hedgerow vibes!
Dahlias for late summer bouquets
Dahlias appear in late summer and autumn and have been super popular for weddings in recent years. There are loads of varieties in all kinds of colours – they’re fabulous here teamed with autumn leaves for a stunning bridal bouquet.
Wedding bouquet ideas for autumn
Dried flowers are available all year round, and you can mix them with fresh blooms or use them as standalone statement flowers for your bouquet. This vibrant colour palette is perfect for a late summer wedding.
As the evenings turn golden, autumn flowers in shades of coral, copper, and rust are at their best. This incredible bouquet has poppies and roses with plenty of foliage to catch the sunlight.
Andy Sidders Photography / flowers by Boho Flowers
The structure of your bouquet is just as important as the flowers themselves. A loose bouquet can make a real statement. A chic, tidy bouquet might be more in keeping with a city wedding venue – and will be lighter to hold!
Winter wedding flower inspiration
Dark pinks are a lovely alternative for flowers in the cooler months of the year. We love this bouquet which teams textures of eucalyptus and willow, delicate fern fronds and carnations.
White and green is a classic winter wedding colour palette. You may have to import some of your blooms, and this of course has an effect on price and the carbon footprint of your wedding.
Opt for plenty of foliage and a handful of statement blooms – and always get the advice of a friendly wedding florist!
It’s very easy to be swept away by all the wonderful pictures of wedding flowers online – but the more blooms you have, the higher the cost will be. And those weddings and floral arrangements you see online might cost thousands. So think of what you can reasonably afford for your flowers, and consider your colour palette first of all.
Anything else: table arrangements, bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes and other floral arrangements around your venue will depend on your budget.
Our top tip – choose sustainable flowers (and never with floral foam) – and opt for a little of what you love, rather than huge quantities.
More wedding bouquet inspiration and advice
Where to start with styling your wedding flowers – 9 amazing ideas to suit your outfits and venue
4 reasons to choose artificial flowers instead of fresh for your wedding decorations
How Using Locally Grown Flowers Can Help Reduce The Environmental Footprint Of Your Wedding Day
